Wire cutter



July 24, 1928. 1,678,551

c. BONOS WIRE CUTTER Filed Sept. \19. 192'! ,0 vtmcao B0 sgi I m Patented July 24, 1928.

GHARLES BQNOS, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

WIRE CUTTER.

Application f led September 19 1927. Serial No. 220,511.

The invention aims to provide a new and improved tool for cutting fence wire after stretching the same, and in its present disclosure, the improved cutting means is embodied in a single tool with wire stretching means, this relation being preferable, although notessential.

lVith the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tool constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the manner of using the same.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the stretching side of the tool.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing the cutting side of the tool.

Fig. 4c is a fragmentary side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation as indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The drawing above briefly described illustrates the preferred form of construction and While such construction will be herein specifically explained, it is to be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I employ a relatively long handle lever 6 whose rear end may be provided with a staple puller or the like 7, while the front end of said lever is in the form of a flat-sided ear 8, immediately behind which, is an en largement or head 9 providing two forwardly facing, laterally projecting shoulders 10-11, shoulder 11 being rearwardly offset from shoulder 10.

Contacting with one side of the ear 8 and extending transversely of thelever 6, is an elongated plate 12 preferably formed of tempered steel, whereas steel or iron of more or less malleable characteristics may be our ployed for other parts of the tool. The rear edge of plate 12 snugly abuts the shoulder 11, while the front edge of this plate is provided with wire cutting teeth 13 which project laterally with respect to the lever 6 and have their incisal edges disposed forwardly. Integral with the ends of the plate 12, are two arms 14 which transversely straddle the rear end of the ear 8 and the enlargement 9, said arms being secured to said enlargement by a rivet or other fastener 15 which pa ses through said arms and enlargement.

A relatively short pressing lever 16 is provided with a bifurcated rear portion which straddles the ear 8 and is fulcrumed to it by a bolt or the like 16, the front portion of said lever 16 being curved for engagement witlr a post such as P of Fig. 1, so that when said lever 16 is rocked with respect to lever 6 by manipulation of the tool as shown in Fig. 1, portions of the rear ends 17-18 of the lever furcations will move toward the teeth 13 and the shoulder 10 respectively. The end portion 18 and the shoulder 1.0 are co-operable in gripping a wire W to stretch the latter, as will be clear from Fig. 1, and after the stretching operation, the wire is of course stapled to the post. Then, if the free end of the wire is to be cut off, said free end is introduced between the end portion 17 and the teeth 13. Then, by engaging lever 16 with the post and manipulating lever 6 to effect relative swinging of the two levers, the end portion 17 forces the wire against one or the other of the teeth 13, causing quick and easy wire cutting.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the tool is exceptionally simple and inexpensive, that it may be easily and advantageously operated either for wire stretching or wire cutting, and that it will be of great advantage in a number of instances, where more cumbersome and complicated stretchers or cutters cannot be conveniently employed. The details disclosed are preferably followed, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations may be made. For instance, while the cutting teeth 13 are shown integral with a plate 12 which is secured to the handle lever 6, it will be understood that in some instances said teeth might be formed integrally with said lever 6. Moreover, it is to be understood that while two teeth are preferably provided, so that wire cutting may be effected by relative swinging of the two levers in either direction, the tool could well be constructed with only oneof such teeth.

I claim 1. A wire cutter comprising a relatively long handle lever having a laterally projecting wire-cutting tooth near its front end, the incisal edge of said tooth being disposed forwardly, and a relatively short post-engaging pressing lever fulcrumed to said front end of said handle lever, said pressing lever having a rear end for forcing the wire against said wire-cutting tooth when said pressing lever is swung about its fulcrum byengagement with a post.

2. A wire cutter comprising a relatively long handle lever having a laterally projecting forwardly facing shoulder near its front end, a flat plate contacting with said lever and having its rear edge abutting said shoulder, the front edge of said plate being provided with a wire-cutting tooth whose ineisal edge is disposed forwardly arms integral with said plate and transversely stra ddling said lever, a fastener passing through said arms and said lever, and a relatively short post-engaging pressing lever fulcruined to said front end of said handle lever, said pressing lever having a rear end for forcing the wire against said cutting tooth when said pressing lever is swung about its fulcrum by engagement with a post.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

Y CHARLES BONOS. 

